HS week 6 picks

I had a disaster of a week last week going 21-10, but so did Jim Wilson. With a half a season to go I sit within a very respectable five games and feel quite confident I can out pick the expert over the course of the year. Some notable things learned from last week were that this is the best Doherty team we've seen in a long time and St. Johns has no defense. Nashoba and Auburn are a clear #1 and #2 and I would rank Shrewsbury #3 Northbridge #4 and Doherty #5.

Last Week's Record:21-10
Season Record: 116-43
Jim Wilson Last Week 21-10
Season Record 121-38

Friday's Games:                                                  Saturday's Games:
Athol 27  Sci Tech 12                                           Auburn 28  Leicester 13 
West Boylston 28 Assbet 20                                Northbridge 27 Nipmuc 17
Oxford 17           Nashoba Tech 14                       Ware 17          Franklin Tech 6
Grafton 34       Shepard Hill 21                              St. Johns Prep 42 St. Johns 38
Bay Path 34     Quaboag 13                                    Mahar 21    Belchertown 20
BC High 41       Marlboro 20                                  BVT 21        MT 13  
Milbury 28        Burncoat 0                                      Shrewsbury 35  Westboro 17 
Nashoba 31      Clinton 10                                        Salisbury Prep 21  WA 20
Hudson 21        GD 13                                               Doherty 35   South 6
Quabbin 30       North 21
Fitchburg 34     NM 24
Littleton 24       St. Bernards 21
SPM 20            Wachusett 13
Tantasqua 24    Gardner 20
Oakmont 28       Ayer-Shirley 24
 

While you Weren't Watching 2012 Baseball Playoffs

For reasons I will never understand Major League Baseball started the Playoffs on a weekend against a jam packed football schedule. This combined with the lack of Red Sox involvement lead me to believe that very few people having been watching. I'm going to review everything that's happened so far and preview how each of the first round series will end.

Play in Games:
No matter what people say the games played on Friday were play in games and no part of the real playoffs.
Atlanta who rightfully won the Wild Card by six games were force to play defending champion St. Louis in a one game playoff to advance to in the NLDS. You knew this was going to end badly for Atlanta and it did when a horrendous 4 led to a 6-3 St. Louis victory. The game will be remembered for an awful infield fly call 50 feet deep into left field that thwarted an Atlanta 8th inning rally. It was a poor ending to the career of Chipper Jones who made a huge error that led to a three run inning and left four runners in scoring position.

In the American League play in game Texas completed their choke job and crushed completely out of the playoffs. Cinderella Baltimore got the pitching performance of a lifetime out of August recycle bin pickup Joe Saunders to carry them to a 5-1 victory. Free agent to be Josh Hamilton was a weak 0 for 5 and is someone no team should go near this winter.

ALDS  Tigers vs A's     (Tigers lead series 2-0 will win 3-1)
What did the Oakland A's gain for their miracle run to win the AL West? The right to start the playoffs on the road against Justin Verlander and the Tigers. Coco Crisp lead off the game with a homer, but that's all they would manage in a ho hum 3-1 defeat. Game 2 was a great game but the A's great bullpen blew one run leads in the both the 7th and 8th innings and the Tigers walked off to a 5-4 win on a sac fly in the 9th.
Projecting ahead the A's have the last three games at home but their bullpen looked tired in the first two games and they don't have an ace to steal them a game.
I think they'll win Game 3, but the Tigers will win the series in 4 and with the insurance of having Justin Verlander pitching Game 5 should easily advance.

ALDS  Yankees vs O's (Series Tied 1-1 Yankees will win 3-2)
The Yankees really lucked out with this draw as they entered the playoffs with their poorest starting rotation in years and an offense entirely dependent on the home run but wind up facing a team that can't take advantage of them. Baltimore was kind of a fluke this year riding a great bullpen and tremendous record in one run games to make the playoffs for the first time since 1997. A lineup built almost entirely of swing and miss guys proved costly in Game 1 as their inability to move runners let the Yankees hang around and eventually win 7-2 behind a five rive run top of the ninth. Baltimore used their bullpen depth to hang on for a 3-2 win in Game 2, but seem unlikely to win two out of 3 in New York. Yankee Stadium is just homer friendly for below average Baltimore starter Miguel Gonzalez and Charles Tilman to survive. I say a Phil Hughes gag of a start stretches the series to 5 with the Yanks ultimately advance behind ace lefty CC Sabathia.

NLDS Reds vs Giants (Reds lead series 2-0 will win series 3-0)
This series has been the most one sided and seems destined to end in a sweep. The Giants lineup is so poor it got shutout by Bronson Arroyo. Second baseman Brandon Phillips is red hot and with Cincinnati home for the final three games advancing and a long rest are all but assured.

NLDS Nationals vs Cardinals (series tied 1-1 Cardinals will win 3-2)
The Nationals were lucky to steal Game 1 4-3 after stupidly bunting down a run in the 8th with runners on first and third and no outs. A pinch hit two run single by rookie Tyler Morse bailed them out and gave them a victory. Game 2 was all St. Louis as they cruised to a 12-5 win. Even with the final three games in Washington the playoff experience of St. Louis has been apparent in the first two games and will carry them to a series win. Choosing not to pitch Stephen Strasburg really hurts against St. Louis as they have playoff veterans Chris Carpetner and Adam Wainwright to send to the mound in Games 3 and 5 and the Nationals don't have the pitching depth to counter. I'd love to be wrong and go to Washington for the World Series but I see St. Louis clearly advancing in five.

I'll be back to see if I was right at the end of the round. Lots more posts coming this week including some requested TV and movie reviews. So check back during the week

Week 5 HS Picks

Week 5 High School Picks
Last Week's Record: 24-6
Jim Wilson's Record:24-6
Season to Date:95-33
Jim Wilson to Date:100-28

I had a much better week last week but trail by 5 games because I keep picking against Nashoba. The goal is 3 losses or less this week. On to the picks:

Friday's Games:                                          Saturday's Games:
Nipmuc 24    St. Bernards 20 w                     Holy Name 35        Doherty 21 l
Bay Path 27  Monty Tech 20 w                      BVT 28                   KT 20 w
Gardner 28    Tygnesboro 17 l                     Milbury 20             Leciester 17 l
Algonguin 21  Hudson 15 l                            AV 24                    NT 17
Athol 34         Mohawk Trail 20  w                 Westboro 28        North Middlesex 21 l
GD 21            Clinton 20 w                              St. Johns 35        Shrewsbury 28 l
Naragansett 24    WB 21 l                             Poly Prep 24       Worcester Academy 20 w
Northbridge 24    Grafton 20w                        Leominster 24     Wachusett 14 l
Brockton 42        Fitchburg 14 w                      SPM 20                Milford 17 w
Mahar 20            Frontier 13                         Oakmont 21       South 13 w
Littleton 20         Maynard 6 w                         North 21           Burncoat 13 w
Lunenberg 28     Quabbin 27 w                        Southbridge 20  David Prouty 14 w  
Nashoba 35        Marlboro 14 w
Ayer-Shirley 20   Murdock 6 l
PV 28                    Ware 10 l
Worcester Tech 17  Quaboag 12w 
Auburn 28              Shepard Hill 17 w
Uxbridge 23           Bartlett 21 l

Week 4 HS Picks

Last Week's Record 19-8:
Season Record: 68-28
Jim Last Week Record: 24-6
Jim's Season Record: 74-22

The guys that do this for a living are starting to open up a lead on me as my lack of knowledge led me to terrible picks like going against #1 Nashoba in the first two weeks. With three weeks of box scores to go on I feel like I'm primed for a big week. I hit the Thursday pick of Doherty over Marlboro that I posted on Twitter. The goal this week is four losses or less so without further ado on to the picks.
Friday Games:
Commerce 21     Athol 10 L
Monty Tech 28   Dean Tech 20 W
SPM 35               Algonquin 14   W
Assabet 17          Chelsea 14    W
Narragansett 24  David Prouty 17 W
North 21              Worcester Tech 12 W
Lunenberg 27      Ayer-Shirley 24 W
Tantasqua 38      Bartlett 14 W
Littleton 27        BVT 20 L
Shepard Hill 31  Gardner 27 W
Holy Name 35     Nashoba 31 (going against them again) L
Greenfield 21      Mahar 6                W
Leominster 27    North Middlesex 15 W
Northbridge 31   Southbridge 30 W
Clinton 24           Oakmont 21 W
Shrewsbury 28    Fitchburg 24 W
West Boylston 31 St. Bernards 20 W
Quabbin 28        South 12 W
Saturday's Games:
Maynard 31      Quaboag 21 W
Hudson 24          Nipmuc 20  L
Groton-Dunstable 28 Westford 17 L
Tyngsboro 35          Murdock 10 W
Easthampton 17      Ware 14 W
Bay Path 24            Burncoat 7 W
Nashoba Tech 28    Keefe Tech 0 W
WA 27                     Northfield 14 W
St. Johns 38            Wachusett 17 (hurts anytime to pick SJ over WRHS) W
Auburn 35               Milbury 12 W
Oxford 21               Uxbridge 20 L
Grafton 31             Leicester 28 W

New TV Tuesday Sunday

Tuesday's New Shows to Sample:
Ben and Kate 8:30 Fox
Mindy Project 9:30 Fox 
Vegas 10:00 CBS
New Shows to Skip
Go on NBC 9:00
New Normal NBC 9:30
Returning Favorites:
New Girl 8pm

Wednesdays New Shows to Sample:
Nashville ABC 10:00 (October)
New Shows to Skip
Animal Practice NBC 8
Guys with Kids NBC 8:30
New Neighbors ABC 8:30
Returning Faves
Modern Family 9:00pm

Best Night of Week
Thursday's New Shows to Sample:
Last Resort ABC 8:00
Elementary CBS 10:00
New Shows to Avoid:
None
Returning Faves:
Office NBC 9:00
Parks and Rec NBC 9:30
Big Bang Theory CBS 8:00

Friday and Saturday: Skip everything

Sunday:
All Returning Faves:
Homeland Showtime 9:00
Dexter Showtime 10:00
Boardwalk Empire HBO 9:00
Treme HBO 9:00
Revenge ABC 10:00
I will review all these shows next week, but if you can only watch one show this week make it Homeland It's my favorite show that's airing this fall!

Kicking off TV season 2012-2013 Mondays

Today marks the official start of the new fall television season. As an avid TV watch and DVR master I thought I would go through the programming guide and make some recommendations. I watch just about very scripted show on television but won't watch a second of a reality show or singing competition.
Monday Nights:
CBS:
8pm How I Met Your Mother
8:30 Partners
9:00 2 Broke Girls
9:30 Mike and Molly
10:00 Hawaii Five-O
Tonight marks the final season of "How I Met Your Mother" when of my long time favorites. If you haven't watched before it's too late in jump in but episodes run daily in syndication on FX and local stations. Partners  is a new show about two best friend writers where one is gay and one is straight. I will watch one episode because Sophia Bush of One Tree Hill Fame is on it but after that I'm out. I DVR "2 Broke Girls" despite the bad writing because I totally dig Kat Dennings so I think it's worth a look as it starts Season 2. Mike and Molly sucks we get it the lead couple is fat, so what. Hawaii Five-0 I Don't watch case of the week show.
Fox:
8pm Bones
9pm Mob Doctor
Bones is a long running show that I've lost all interest in now that the two leads have gotten together. "Mob Doctor" might be canceled tonight it's a new show about a doctor in debt to the Mob and forced to do their bidding. Terrible show
ABC: 
8pm Dancing with the Stars
10pm Castle
I have not and never will watch other of these shows.
NBC:
8pm Voice
10pm Revolution (New) My pick of the night
Revolution is one of my favorite new shows and has aired one episode that can be seen both on demand and at NBC.com. Set in a future with no electricity in a sort of colonized America, it stars  a cute newcomer as a Katniss from the Hunger Games like character. It has a lot of action scenes and Gincarlo Episoto from Breaking Bad as a bad guy. This show has potential!
I'll be back tomorrow with Tuesday's lineup

Week 3 HS Picks

Friday Games:
Maynard 24  Monty Tech 14
Ayer-Shirley 17    Nashoba Tech 14
Athol 24                 Palmer 14
Bartlett 24             Nipmuc 20
Leicester 20          Burncoat 0 (drought continues)
Lunenberg 21        Clinton 20
North Middlesex 20  Marlboro 13
Leominster 24           Milford 24
Littleton 31                Narragansett 21
Tyngsboro 27            Oakmont 13
St. Johns 31             Catholic Memorial 27
Wachusett 17          Fitchburg 14
Saturday Games:
West Boylston 28    Murdock 12                      Oxford 20   David Prouty 7
Worcester Tech 21  Assabet Valley 19            Bay Path 27 South 13 
BVT 14                    Quabog 10                         Auburn 35   SPM 17
Shepard Hill 27       Grafton 12                         Arlington 35  Holy Name 30 
Pioneer Valley 17  Mahar 12                            Phillips Exeter 21 Worcester Academy 20 
Uxbridge 22           Milbury 15
Keefe Tech 21       Old Colony 20
Doherty 22             Shrewsbury 21
Southbridge 31       North 12 

Week 2 HS Picks

Week 1 Record:27-6
Jim Wilson Record:28-5

Week 2 Picks:
Northbridge 35 Oxford 12                          Milbury 25  St. Bernards 20
Assabet 13        Ayer 6                                Uxbridge 27 Grafton 24  
Bartlett 20        Quabog 14                          Holy Name 35 Westboro 20
Nashoba Tech 7  Franklin Tech 6               Lowell 27       Monty Tech 21 
Clinton 21            Gardner 20                      Algonquin 24  Wachusett 22 
Auburn 35            Holliston 6                        Quabbin 17   Maynard 15
Leominister 27   Hudson 17                          SPM 21        Shepard Hill 20 
Marian 15           Keefe 13
Littleton 26        Lunenberg 24
Ludlow 20         Ware 16
Mahar 17         Lee 13
Fitchburg 22     Nashoba 17
Shrewsbury 28 Marlboro 7
Doherty 27       Tantasqua 15
GD 17               Murdock 14
Oxford 21         South 13
Oakmont 27      Leciester 24
Longmedow 35 St. Johns 30
North Middlesex 25 North 21
Southbridge 24        Valley Tech 17  

Week 1 HS Picks

 As a newly weekly feature I will pick every Central Mass football game and compare my record against Jim Wilson of the Telegram & Gazette. Feel free to play against me and taunt me for missing picks. For great info on all the teams go to Jim's Extra Points Blog and read the Hometown Magazine.

Weekly Central Mass Football Picks
Shepard Hill 24  Westboro 20                      Leicester 28       North 12
South 17           Worcester Tech 14               Bay Path 27      Oxford 13
Milbury 28       Assabet Valley 12                 St. Johns 27     Holy Name 21 (OT)
Algonquin 35     Burncoat 3                          Fitchburg 24    SPM 20
Northbridge 42   Bartlett 13                         Nipmuc 22        Grafton 21
Clinton 17          Littleton 14                         McCan Tech 6  Ware 0
Tyngsboro 24    David Prouty 7                    BVT 22             Tri-County 12
Doherty 28        North Middlesex 17
Athol 17             Drury 0
Everett 21           Leominister 20
Milford 30          Franklin 6
West Boylston 23  Lunenberg 14
Central Catholic 27 Malboro 17
Groton D 21             Maynard 0
Minutemen 12         Nashoba Tech 6
Quabbin 15             Murdock 10
Naragansett 22        Mahar 8
Pathfinder 17          Quabog 12
Auburn 24               Shrewsbury 12
Southbridge 35        Tantasqua 29
Uxbridge 17             Shirley 14
Wachusett 17           Nashoba 14
 

2012 NFL Preview

Football season is here! After seven painful months reliving another Patriots blown Super Bowl opportunity I am more then ready for the season to kickoff tomorrow night. A month ago I thought the Patriots were the clear favorite to bring home another Lombardi trophy, but a preseason of horrible offensive line play and curious roster decisions has me seriously reconsidering that position.
Let's go division by division through the NFL as give my predictions sure to go wrong and discuss some of the major stories to follow.

NFC East:
Questions: The league's most storied division is filled with some very familiar questions. Can Dallas finally get together and make a playoff run? Will the Eagles finally love up to their talent? Can the Giants become a dominant regular season team after once again winning the Super Bowl with a 9-7 record?
My Picks:
1.Giants 11-5
2.Eagles 9-7
3.Cowboys 8-8
4.Redskins 6-10
The Giants defensive line proves the difference as injuries to Tony Romo and Micheal Vick cripple their closes rivals. A scout defense and sweet deep ball from rookie QB Robert Griffin III make the Redskins a fun watch but the lack of a running game to go with a rookie under center cause them to be a distant fourth.
NFC North:
Questions: Can the Packers rediscover a defense? Can Jay Cutler stay healthy and build off the momentum he had going last season? Can the Lions prove they're not a flash in the pan
My Picks:
1.Packers 12-4
2.Bears 10-6 (wild card winner)
3.Lions 8-8
4.Vikings 5-11
 
Cedric Benson was a huge pickup for the Packers and will finally give them a strong inside runner. That combined with defensive tackle B.J. Raji becoming a dominant defender will carry the Pack to the division title. Cutler staying healthy and pairing with former favorite target Brandon Marshall with lead to Bears making the playoffs, while the Lions take a step back and the Vikings continue to flounder.
NFC South:
Questions: Can the Saints overcome the turmoil of bounty gate? Can Atlanta take the next step? Can Cam Newton avoid a sophomore slump? Can a Rutgers coach win in the NFL?
My Predictions:
1.Saints 10-6
2.Panthers 10-6 (wildcard winner
3.Falcons 9-7
4.Bucs 8-8
I expect this to be the best division in the league this year. Drew Brees is the only coach the Saints need to once again win the division. I like the Panthers to take a step forward and claim a wildcard spot based on improved play from a finally healthy defense. The Falcons miss out on the Playoffs as the decline of Micheal Turner turns them into a pass happy offense that Matt Ryan is not elite enough to handle. The Bucs are going to be hugely improved and rookie runner Doug Martin will take Rookie of the Year honors but the division is so tough they'll still finish fourth.
NFC West:
Questions:When will the 49ers clinch the division?
My Predictions:
1.49ers 11-5
2.Seahawks 7-9
3.Rams 5-11
4.Cardinals 3-13
This will be again be the worst division in football as the Niners will sweep their division schedule behind 11 returning defensive starters and an improved set of skilled players around Alex Smith. Seahawks rookie QB Russell Wilson will be the only other watchable part of this division.
NFC Playoffs:
Wildcard Round:
(4)Saints over (5)Bears
 (3) 49ers over (6) Panthers
Divisional Round:
(1) Packers over (4) Saints
(3) 49ers over (2) Giants
Championship Round
(3)49ers over (1)Packers
NFC Champion: 49ers
After a terrible season old foe Randy Moss makes a late catch to avenge a Week one loss in Lambeau. The Saints are done in my the pressure of playing for a chance at a home field Superbowl and the Giants prove they are better road warriors then home favorites.
AFC East:
Questions: Will Tim Tebow usurp Mark Sanchez? Can the Bills make the Playoffs? Can the Pats protect Brady?
My Predictions
1.Patriots 13-3
2.Bills 10-6 (Wildcard Winner)
3.Jets 6-10
4.Dolphins 2-14 
The Patriots being razor thin on the offensive line is a major concern but the schedule is so easy they cruise to a division title and a #1 seed. The return of Fred Jackson and major free agent defender Mario Willams will lead the Bills to the playoffs barring Ryan Fitzpatrick totally imploding at QB. The Jets will stink on offense and Rex will be fired after Tebow replaces Sanchez and fizzles. After four weeks of watching Hard Knocks the Dolphins are on the clock!
AFC North: 
Questions:Can the Steelers run the ball? Can Baltimore fight father time on defense? 
My Predictions:
1.Ravens 10-6
2.Steelers 9-7
3.Bengals 7-9
4.Browns 4-12
 Injuries in the backfield and on the offensive line cause the Steelers to make the playoffs. The Ravens take advantage and win the division even as they go away from the run and try to convince us Joe Flacco is an elite quarterback. Andy Dalton takes a step back dealing with a first place schedule and the Browns are a total disaster.
AFC South:
Questions: How quick can Luck take over the league? Can Schaub comeback healthy in Houston?
My Predictions:
1.Texans 12-4
2.Titans 8-8
3.Colts 7-9
4.Jags 5-11
The Texans take advantage of a weak division and cruise to a title. Luck shows flashes and the Titans could make a run if both Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt return to form. Jacksonville is a mess because Gabbert is not a starter in this league.
AFC West:
Questions: Peyton Manning's health? Which Chargers will show up this year? Can Oakland overcome Carson Palmer?
My Predictions:
1.Broncos 11-5
2.Chargers 10-6
3.Raiders 7-9
4.Chiefs 7-9
Any of these teams can win the division but when healthy Peyton Manning is always the pick. If Oakland had anyone other than Carson Palmer behind center I would pick them. If everyone gets health the Chiefs are a real dark horse especially with Peyton Hillis and a healthy Jamal Charles in the backfield. As long as Norv Turner is still coaching you can't trust the Chargers.
AFC Playoffs:
Wildcard Round:
(3)Broncos over (6) Bills
(4)Ravens over (5) Chargers
Divisional Round:
(2) Texans over (3) Broncos
(4)Ravens over (1) Patriots
Championship Round
(2) Texans over (4) Ravens
AFC Champ: Texans
Ravens get revenge on the Patriots after injuries on the offensive line leave Brady under siege. Houston was the best team in the conference last year when healthy and will escape injury and claim the title.
Super Bowl:
49ers  over Texans
Alex Smith gets the last laugh and goes from #1 bust to Superbowl Champion. From 1-53 the 49ers are the most talented team and Jim Harbaugh is already a top 5 coach in the league.